Nigeria Beats A Retreat, Withdraws N446.3 Billion Theft Charges Against Mohammed Abacha

June 18, 2014

Nigeria government has withdrawn the N446.3 Billion theft charges instituted against the eldest son of the late General Sani Abacha, the Military Head of State, Mohammed Abacha. The government had slammed Mohammed Abacha with nine counts theft charges in February this year.

The government, through the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, on Wednesday, accused Mohammed Abacha of unlawfully receiving about N446.3 billion allegedly stolen from government’s coffers between 1995 and 1998.

But the Attorney-General, acting for the Federal Government, today, asked Justice Mamman Kolo of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, to withraw the suit on the grounds of “fresh facts” that just emerged concerning the case.

Efforts to arraign Abacha on two previous occasions were unsuccessful because of his repeated absence from court. But he was present in court on Wednesday when the private prosecuting counsel, Mr. Daniel Enwelum, informed the court of Adoke’s instruction to discontinue the case.

Applying to court for the withdrawal of the case, Enwelum said: “I have been instructed by the AGF and Minister of Justice to withdraw the charges as presently filed before this court, because there are fresh facts and documents available to him.

“In this circumstance, he instructed me to file a notice of withdrawal without prejudice to future cause of action to be taken by his (AGF’s) office. In the light of that, I have filed a notice of withdrawal dated June 17, 2014. I humbly apply to withdraw the charges accordingly.”

Abacha’s lawyer, Abdullahi Haruna, did not oppose the application for withdrawal.

Justice Kolo subsequently, in a ruling on the application, made an order striking out the charges against the accused person.

In the nine counts, the Federal Government accused Abacha of “dishonestly receiving stolen property” and “voluntarily assisted in concealing money.”

The charge replaced a previous one of 121 counts, in which Mohammed was charged with Atiku Bagudu. The government excluded Bagudu from the fresh charge, leaving only Mohammed.

According to the new charge, marked “CR.21-24/2008,” the stolen money allegedly received by Mohammed Abacha, which he allegedly concealed, included N141,100,000 and $384,353,000 made up of cash and travellers cheques. [myad]

Jonathan Sacks Dr. Oluwole As PTDF Scribe

Greenbarge Reporters

June 18, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked Dr. Oluwole Oluleye as the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) with immediate effect. Oluwole has been the executive secretary of the PTDF since 2013.

In a terse statement from the office of the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati today said that Mr. Olufemi Ajayi, from the same Ekiti state as sacked Oluwole has been appointed to take over from him.

The statement said that Mr. Ajayi was until his new appointment, the Director-General of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). No reason was given for the sack. [myad]

I Am Just A Coach, Not God, Says Stephen Keshi

Greenbarge Reporters

June 18, 2014

Nigeria Super Eagle coach, Stephen Keshi

“I’m not God. I’m just a coach and I will do what I have to do and that’s it. Even the best coaches in the world cannot tell you they will win before the game.”

These were the exact words of the Head Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Stephen Keshi, after the lackluster performance of the Eagles in their opening match with Iran in the ongoing World Cup tournament in Brazil.

Keshi added: “We will try to prepare ourselves. We will work together and see what happens. We saw (a surprise result from) Costa Rica, we saw (another surprise result) Holland and Spain. With football, you never can tell. Whatever comes my way, I will take it.”

The chief Coach however asked his players to produce a polished performance against a Bosnia side who frustrated Group F favourites Argentina before slipping to a 2-1 loss in their opener.

And the shock wins for Costa Rica and the Netherlands in Brazil have given Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi hope of stunning Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Netherlands romped to a 5-1 win over defending champions Spain while Costa Rica defeated Uruguay 3-1 as the opening round of fixtures at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil served up plenty of eye-catching results.

Despite being tournament debutants, Bosnia sit 21st in the world rankings – Nigeria are 44th – but Keshi is confident of springing a surprise.

Saturday’s crucial clash in Cuiaba will be the first meeting between the two countries, with Nigeria having started their World Cup campaign with a dour goalless draw against Iran.

[myad]

ATM Frauds, Illegal Deductions: Banks Forced To Refund N14.6 Billion To Customers

Greenbarge Reporters

June 18, 2014

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has forced commercial banks operating in the country to refund N14.6 Billion to customers who have lodged complaints over alleged extortion, illegal deductions and Automated Teller Machines frauds (ATM) on their accounts.

The CBN Deputy Director in charge of Consumer Protection Department, Hajiya Khadijat Kazeem who made this known at a press briefing in Ibadan, Oyo state, to commence a consumer awareness campaign in the state, said that the refund was made as at May this year.
Hajiya Kazeem who stood in for the director of her department, Hajiya Umma Dutse, said that since CBN created the Consumer Protection office in 2010 which was later upgraded to a full fledged department in 2012,the bank has on several occasions, intervened in frictions between several banks in the country and their teeming customers.
Hajiya Kazeem said that as at May, the CBN through the department, had intervened and treated no fewer than 3,000 complaints from banks’ customers across the country, adding that the sensitisation exercise is aimed at ensuring that customers are better served by their banks.
“We all would recall the events that occurred few years ago in the financial industry. The Nigerian financial system was virtually on the brinks of collapse.
“There was crisis in the financial and capital markets which had been triggered by the global financial crisis. Following an extensive and in depth study of the financial system; it was revealed that lack of consumer sophistication amongst many other factors was responsible for the near collapse of the financial system.”

Meanwhile, CBN has directed all deposit money banks (DMBs) in the country to return all monies in their possession as a result of Automated Teller Machines’ (ATMs’) non-dispense or partial dispense errors to their customers before July 31, 2014.
This is contained in a circular titled: “Non-refund of Monies to Customers Shortchanged by ATMs’ Non-Dispense or Partial Dispense Error,” a copy of which was posted on its website yesterday. The document was signed by the Director, Banking and Payment System Department, CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun.
It stated that the attention of the CBN had been drawn to the fact that DMBs have not been refunding their customers that were shortchanged by ATMs’ partial dispense error, while some with non-dispense error were also not refunded.
This issue, it explained, was brought to the notice of the Chairmen of the Committees of Heads of e-Banking and Heads of Operations, at a meeting held on April 15, 2014, at which the Card Schemes and Switches were present.
“The major outcome of the aforementioned meeting was that, banks were directed to reconcile their accounts with a view to returning such monies to their owners.
“Going forward, and in compliance with Section 9.1 of the Guidelines for Card Issuance and Usage in Nigeria, acquirers should initiate the resolution, even without the prompting of the issuing bank.”

[myad]

Three Perils Emir Sunusi Must Avoid By Garba Shehu

June 18, 2014

It is welcome that the new Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sunusi II, as he styles himself, has at the very last, landed on the throne of his fore-fathers in the vast entity called the Emir’s Palace. This followed the dramatic end to the siege on the palace, which made it impossible for the newly-appointed ruler to take his rightful residence.
For those unfamiliar with Kano, this massive compound is by every estimate, a stand-alone town, complete with thousands of homes, schools, a clinic and a social center. That Sunusi rode around the city on horse back to various parts of the city unmolested, receiving praises and cheers, without being heckled or abused is an indication that indeed, the initial crisis that followed his choice in now over. As he huffs his way through armor and mythic roles, including a reported three-day seclusion in a mystical room, senior members of the community have been warning the new ruler to tread softly and to not allow himself to be provoked. He will face provocation.
When a man has a reputation for short fuse, you will expect this to be a severe test. As Commander-In-Chief, Dr Jonathan had hoped that his word will be scripture on this and other matters all over the country. It must have been a bitter blow when Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso surprised him with the choice of a bitter enemy.
As it is, it cannot be said if the withdrawal of the policemen from the palace was out of the love for peace in Kano or a tactical withdrawal. If this was a tactical retreat, to bide their time and strike again then the Emir must be careful avoid making wrong moves if he is not to invite the fury of Abuja, or reopene old wounds in his community. Although the Governor has made his move, giving a clear indication that he means business, Kwankwaso is bound to leave office in less than a year. It does not matter whether he is succeeded by a man or woman from his own party or the opposition. New challenges will arise from the Emir’s tormentors, especially in a situation where he fails to rise above the fray of politics.
As for the government in Abuja, you can be sure that they will chose their moment, and strike if they will. These are rulers well-schooled in the methodology of former President Obasanjo. Obasanjo would do you a favour that you can’t refuse. But be sure that one day, he will come back to demand a return that you cannot say no to. If you say no, the President, who did not forget will remember that you had a blemish under the shirt, perhaps an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) matter that had been kept in the oven. From that point, it is given a new life all over again. Recall that a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor had a corruption issue junked for 10 years in an EFCC warehouse. When he disagreed with the tenure elongation bid of Dr. Jonathan, the case was called back, leading to his loss of office and on-going trial.
If the rumours are to be believed, both the Emir and the government that appointed him are in a different kind of bind. In this case, it had been said that they were all over President Babangida, General Gusau and the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd) making all sorts of commitments and pledges, the bottom-line of which was that they would henceforth be good boys as far as dealing with President Jonathan is concerned. There are also suggestions that the Security Services in Abuja may have stumbled on deals between a certain candidate for the throne and kingmakers and some persons in authority in the state, leading to the outcome we are dealing with. These sordid details if true, would have the long term effect of diminishing, not only the person involved but the revered institution of Kano Emirate. Kano Emirate is a different kind of emirate. This Emirate is pre-eminent, almost the last one standing. While tales abound of sold kingships all over Nigeria, somehow, and miraculously too, the impeccable persona of the kingship in Kano has remained, until now, without any blemish.
Happily though, as I said from the beginning, it is important that the storm has settled and the Chief has a free hand to rule as he wishes, subject of course, only to the law of the land.
He gave a good account of himself on the last Friday when he led the prayers before which he had read the sermon without a written script. The whole city has been impressed by this dazzling show of brain power. His supporters must however tread softly on other Imams who are being cast as being brainless and unworthy. At the very long end, these Imams are the Emir’s pillars of support. He therefore needs them.
While it will take time for the Emir to deal with these and such other issues, it is important to warn that he must avoid three of the minefields that are visibly lying in front of him.
One: as is well known, Emir Muhammadu Sunusi has a very strong sense of himself. This makes him to face issues frontally without strategy or tact. You don’t throw volleys just anyhow and for this, let’s hope that the kingship as an institution, will help to mollify him.
Two: as many have said, he talks too much. I wrote about this too, in which column I cited the famous aphorism that says that no one gets into trouble for saying nothing. Malam Adamu Adamu, that famous Daily Trust writer put it better to the new Emir where he said that the tail of the turban drawn over the chiefs mouth was intended to impose a restraint on their speech. They are not known to talk just anyhow.
Three: it is equally evident that the Emir has an appetite for grandeur. Recall the dramatic outfits he wore to work as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The trouble is if you covet grandeur, it becomes wily and wild. But if we learn from history, the best thing is to ignore any such feeling. If you ignore grandeur, it has a way of coming across in a way that is inoffensive and acceptable .
As the whole country congratulates Kano for having an enlightened ruler who ran the Central Bank with a keen eye on accountability and due governance, his own job is clearly cut as one of reviving the cherished values of the people. A good government at the state and the centre is important but it is hard to have progress in a society without good people as well as good values.

Read More Articles From This Author: Garba Shehu

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Aggrieved Members Will Be Rewarded, Atiku Assures Loosers In Saturday APC’s National Convention

Greenbarge Reporters

June 18, 2014

Nigeria former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has appealed to aggrieved members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last Saturday’s national congress in Abuja to remain loyal to the party as there is reward for loyalty.
Atiku said that the emergence of the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led national executive committee of the party is a product of transparency, democracy and compromise.
In a statement of solidarity to the new APC exco which is scheduled to be inaugurated today, the former Vice President advised the newly elected party officials to sustain the tempo and public enthusiasm, which greeted the birth of the opposition party in the country.
He was happy with the peaceful conduct of the elections at the party’s inaugural national convention, adding that as a party member, he is proud that the elections were conducted without incidents or rancor.
According to him, the level of maturity demonstrated by APC followers was evidence of their commitment to decent democratic conduct.
The former Vice President said, despite prediction of chaos and crisis before the convention, the event went off peacefully without any incidents.
However, Atiku who is also the Turakin Adamawa advised APC leaders and members not to rest on their oars because the challenges ahead are still tough.
According to him, complacency is a dangerous attitude, especially for an opposition party struggling to capture power and bring change.
While expressing his apologies for his inability to be present for the inauguration of the exco due to previous commitments overseas, the former Vice President, conveyed his support, loyalty and cooperation to the NEC of the party at all times

[myad]

Terrorism In Nigeria: Ex British PM, UN Scribe Storm Presidential Villa

Greenbarge Reporters

June 17, 2014

Former British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown and Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, today, visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja, to confer with President Goodluck Jonathan on how to combat the growing terrorism in the country and save educational institutions from any form of terrorist attacks.
The visitors who were accompanied to the Villa by the governors of Yobe and Borno states, as well as the minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala floated what they called: “Safe Schools Intiative.”
Mr. Brown, who spoke to newmen after the close-door session with President Jonathan said that the “Safe Schools Initiative” is aimed at building confidence in the young Nigerians and their parents about going to schools.
“Every child is special, precious and unique. I have come here with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon giving me his support, to send our sympathies and our solidarity and our support to the children of Chibok who have been cruely kidnapped and abducted and to give our support to the families of these girls and to the whole communities in Borno state.
“And I am here to say that we wish as an international community, to do everything we can to back up the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan and the governors of the states to make sure these girls are returned to their families and at the same time to make sure that every parent feels that they can send their children to school, knowing they wil be safe in future.”
The former British Prime Minister said that they would be launching the Safe Schools Intiative soon, adding that President Jonathan has already accepted to set up special fund that will allow the international community as well as local donors to contribute to making the schools in Nigeria safer.
He said that the programme is for the whole country, but that for now, it is starting in the states which have the greatest problem with terrorism in recent months.
“It is our determination as an international community, to help the families feel secure about their boys and girls going to schools, with the hope that they will be safe. That is why we are looking at security for the schools and how we can help the governors and how we can help the Nigerian people with fortifications, telecommunications, guards, safety equipments that will enable people feel safe and more secured in the schools.
“We also want to help the rebuilding of chibok schools because we want parents of that area to be sure that when their girls are released, they can come home to a school that is rebuilt and safe.”
Mr. Brown said that they would also help to rebuild the schools in other areas where schools have either been demolished or burnt down or vandalized, adding that over a long time “we want to help Nigeria which is a great country, with a great future and wonderful potentials, to enable it so that the ten and half million boys and girls who don’t go to school today are able to go to school.
“And I can assure you that around Europe, Asia, America and Latin America, there is massive support for Nigeria in this hour of difficulty: facing terrorism and also in its ambition to be such a great country with great educational standards.”
Okonjo-Iweala confirmed that President Jonathan has kicked off the Safe School Initiative as he received in audience, mr. Brown, the envoy of the secretary general of United Nations who brought the wishes and support of the intentional community.
And Mr President has instructing that I open a trust fund which we have already put N1.6billion. The private sector is also putting N1.6 million.
She said that Mr. Brown is going to be raising some resources while the governors are going to put in commitment.
“We are intent on trying to make sure that our children in the states have an environments which they can come back to school and not have their education truncated.”
[myad]

EFCC Says PDP Governorship Candidate In Saturday Ekiti State Election, Fayose, Still On Trial For Corruption

Greenbarge Reporters

June 17, 2014

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has come out to say that the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, who will contest the same position in the Saturday, June 21 gubernatorial election in the same Ekiti state is still standing trial in court for corruption charges.

The Head of the media and publicity for the Commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren told newsmen in Abuja: “Fayose, for your information, is still standing trial on corruption charges before the Federal High Court. That case has been on since 2007. Based on Appeal Court’s decision, the matter was transferred to Ekiti State, where the crime was committed…”

Uwujaren made it clear that the matter is still fresh and he has not been cleared, the case is still in court, though he admitted that it is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that has the power to determine whether or not he can contest this weekend’s governorship election. “If the umpire (INEC) believes that the electoral law allows such a person standing trial in court, even though he has not been convicted to stand for election, that is the job of the INEC; it is not for EFCC to decide.

“But by Nigerian Judicial tradition, we assume that he is innocent until proven guilty in court and we cannot at this moment convict him until the court decides.” [myad]

She Is A Hero Of Matrimonial Home…And Nigeria, By Yusuf Ozi-Usman

Yusuf Ozi-Usman

June 17, 2014

There is this seemingly obscure housewife in a seemingly obscure corner of Kuje, one of the six Area Councils of the Nigeria Federal Capital Territory, who is now bedridden and in pains as a result of her commitment to her matrimonial home, and by remote extension, Nigeria.
It all began with a spirit in her, of not wanting to hear that her husband, and for that matter, her children, were hungry.
And on Sunday, at around midnight, her husband whispered to her that the food he ate before going to bed did not satisfy him; that he was still hungry.
The woman; his wife, cut short the sleep that enveloped her, strolled into the kitchen to boil water with which to prepare tea for him.
The woman discovered that there was no hot water in the flask and decided to quickly boil water on the gas cooker. She was full of joy because another opportunity had come for her to display her love, commitment and devotion to her husband, her matrimonial home and the project she believed in.
Just as she was about to strike a match, the gas exploded, burning her face and most parts of her upper parts.
The husband, who was still on the bed, staggered to his feet and rushed her to Kuje hospital.
Because of the high degree of the burns, the hospital authority quickly referred her to specialist hospital in Gwagwalada.
“If I had known, I would have managed before daybreak,” her husband kept on wailing innocently.
Of course, this is not a fiction, even though the names of the victim and her husband have been carefully skipped.
Insignificant as this incidence may seem, it has the ingredient of attracting the attention of patriots who have the ability to see beyond the ordinary.
The case of this dutifully housewife which should not be seen as only a domestic or matrimonial affair story is worth placing in the context of the nation building.
Indeed, the story shows that with similar commitment of individuals to their homes and offices, the overall upliftment of the Nigerian project is assured.
We Nigerians really need to rise above ethnic, religious and regional pettiness. We appear to have been so enmeshed in the attempt to dismember this nation; some of us have turned it into a project: the project of dividing the country along some primordial lines.
The drum of war been beaten these days around the country has brought out the sadism and even animalistic traits in us. We easily forget that there are even misunderstandings in individual homes across the country and that dividing Nigeria into hundred parts would, and can never solve whatever problems we think we have now.
We talk about war and division as if such situation would automatically favour one part and disfavour the other part.
An African proverb says that when the trouble or war starts, you may know how it starts but will certainly know when and how it would end. It is better we all wake up, like the dutiful housewife receiving treatment in specialist hospital, Gwagwalada, to tend to Nigeria so that together we would all find happiness, satisfaction and peace in living together.
There is no escaping the fact that in the collective effort to make Nigeria work, you are a player either as patriot or rebel. It costs virtually nothing to belong to any of the two diametrically opposed divides. The choice is ours.
Meanwhile, please join me in sincerely wishing this dutiful housewife of Kuje quick recovery and the abundant reward for her from God, as He promised.
The same wish, of God’s reward, goes to the patriots who stand on the side of peace, unity and progressive of Nigeria, for, God has promised too to reward this category of people.

Read More Articles From This Author: Yusuf Ozi-Usman

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We Are Not Here To Entertain Viewers, Stephen Keshi Assures Fans

Greenbarge Reporters

June 16, 2014

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, the head coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria has said that his major focus is to create a winning spirit in his squad rather than entertain viewers at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Nigeria will face Iran today, June 16 at the Arena da Baixada in a Group F match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but the Big Boss said he will not be deploying any more aggressive tactics given the bevy of goals that have been scored.

“For me, scoring 100 goals is not important for me,” Keshi said.

“If we score one goal and I win my games up to the finals, I will love it, I will kiss you all over.”

“I don’t want to score 10 goals in one game then find I’m out in the next game, it doesn’t make sense.”

“Whatever comes I’ll take it as long as there is progression in my team.”

“So far in the tournament everything has been entertaining.”

“More players in attacking positions, playing good football because the audience needs to enjoy it.”

Despite conceding the current Nigeria team is ‘like a baby’, Keshi said his squad can usurp the efforts of the African nation’s first trip to a World Cup in 1994, when they reached the round of 16.

“It’s like a year and a half old team, the team of 1994 was like five or six years old,” said Keshi, who played in one group game in USA ’94.

“We were together and there was a lot of experience in the team and great talent like a lot of great players.”

“I have the same in this group, it’s not fully what I’m looking for if you are comparing to 1994.”

“In 1994, spirit was very high, we don’t care where the team is coming from, we know if we go out there we are going to win this game.”

“The mentality was very strong, here we are building that, trying to build in the same spirit and once we get our spirit, trust me, we can be stronger than 1994.”

Captain Joseph Yobo said Nigeria can surprise their doubters with a youthful squad.

“It’s going to be my third World Cup, and I’m not just here to participate,” Yobo said.

“We know it’s not going to be easy, in the previous World Cups we haven’t done very well.”

“We have our head coach here, we are current African champions, we just want continuity.”

“We did very well, now we are here we have a lot of young players as well but very talented so people are going to be surprised.”

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